(New York, NY, Thursday, May 27, 2021) – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people live, work and socialize, accelerating demand for innovation, as retailers, consumer goods, and travel companies shift from reacting to the crisis to reinventing products and services.  New research from Accenture looks at what consumers are most excited about in a post-pandemic era, showing that travel is at the top of their list.  After a year of lockdowns, nearly 7,000 consumers across the US interviewed were asked about travel plans for the next six months.

Emily Weiss, managing director, global travel industry sector lead, explains the findings.

SOUNDBITE #1:

OUR RESEARCH TOOK A LOOK AT WHAT PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT AS WE ALL EMERGE FROM THIS PANDEMIC. TRAVEL WAS THE ACTIVITY THOSE SURVEYED WERE MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE. IN FACT, THE SURVEY SHOWED US THAT THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS ALREADY HAVE BOOKED LEISURE TRAVEL OR ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

AFTER THIS PAST YEAR, CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDES HAVE SHIFTED AND THE RIPPLE EFFECTS FROM THE PANDEMIC WILL BE FELT FOR SOME TIME. WE SEE OPTIMISM WHEN IT COMES TO CONSUMERS GETTING BACK TO LEISURE TRAVEL. OUR LATEST SURVEY SHOWS CLEARLY THAT THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR CONSUMERS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

For more information, visit www.accenture.com.